This free video tutorial demonstrates the Geometric Center Object Snap which was added in AutoCAD 2016. This new GCEN Object Snap locates the geometric center of polylines and splines. This is very handy when trying to locate the center of a polyline created using the rectangle or polygon commands. Learn about it in our free video tutorial!

This free video tutorial demonstrates the DIM command which was newly updated for AutoCAD 2016. One of the coolest features of the updated command is you can choose the layer assigned to dimensions created with the DIM command. Learn about it in our free video tutorial!

This free video tutorial demonstrates the REVCLOUD command which was newly updated for AutoCAD 2016. Prior to AutoCAD 2016, modifying the cloud produced unpredictable or undesirable results. Not anymore! Watch our tutorial and see the improvements.

This free video tutorial demonstrates the TEXTALIGN command which allows you to align text objects horizontally, vertically or at another angle, specify the justification of alignment or equally space text objects. The text objects can be aligned to a specified text object or to a point.

In this video I will trace the floor plan so I can acquire dimensional information like square footage and perimeter measurements. Having a dimensionally accurate plan using AutoCAD geometry will also let me place fixtures and furniture in the space.

This free video tutorial demonstrates the use of the XLINE command to create construction lines. Construction lines extend to infinity in both directions. You can use construction lines to prepare multiple views of the same item, or create temporary intersections that you can use for object snaps.

The VPROTATEASSOC setting controls whether the view in a viewport is rotated when the viewport is rotated. Watch this free video to learn how to use VPROTATEASSOC and rotate a viewport to a specific angle.

Reusing and sharing content is fundamental to efficient management of a drawing project. Using the same styles, blocks and layouts provide a consistent file foundation that is more easily modified and presents a uniform appearance. The Design Center Palette allows you to import content (layers, linetypes, text styles, block definitions, layouts, etc.) contained in other drawings. See our video tutorial to learn more about the Design Center Palette.

Watch CCAD's free video tutorial to learn how to use the Join command to connect or join a group of objects into a single, unbroken object in AutoCAD. Objects that can be joined are lines, polylines, arcs, elliptical arcs and splines.

Template files are used to provide the initial settings for new drawings. In this tutorial you'll learn how to change existing templates or create a new templates to save time and provide consistency among all drawings.

AutoCAD 2014 implemented security measures to help protect against viruses and malware (malicious code). Learn how to make sure your custom applications are loaded properly by adding their folders to AutoCAD's Trusted Locations in this free tutorial.

Achieving consistently sized dimension features, regardless of drawing scale can be somewhat of a challenge. Watch our free video tutorial to see how an Annotative Dimension Style can make sizing dimension text, arrows, etc. a snap.

AEC objects are custom objects used in applications like AutoCAD Architecture to represent items like doors, windows, walls, etc. When these drawings are opened in AutoCAD these objects are called proxy objects and a warning box is displayed. See CCAD's free tutorial to learn how to manage these AEC objects.

Linetypes can be defined manually by editing or creating a .lin file using a text editor like notepad or the visual lisp editor that is included with AutoCAD. However, the Express Tools command MKLTYPE lets you create a linetype simply by drawing a pattern of dashes, dots, text and shapes. This video illustrates how to use the MKLTYPE command to create your own custom linetypes.

If you draw holes or cylindrical shapes on angled surfaces you'll appreciate the Rotation option of the Ellipse command. This video illustrates how to use the Ellipse command and the Rotation option to represent a hole through an angled surface of a part.

Viewports are a special bounded area on a layout used to display model geometry on a layout. Viewports allow you to display different areas of your design at different scales. Viewports can be created using a variety of methods. This FREE video tutorial demonstrates how viewports are created and edited in AutoCAD.

Drawings of parts usually include information regarding the allowable manufacturing tolerances. Most tolerances are specified in a note in the title block. However, features that require a more or less strict tolerance are specified along with the dimension. This FREE video tutorial demonstrates how tolerances are applied to dimensions and formatted in AutoCAD.

Layers can be turned off and on, frozen and thawed, locked and unlocked using the Layer Control. This FREE tutorial shows you how to manage layers in your drawing.

Adding Characters to Dimension Text and Creating a Double-Click Actionmore

Beginning with AutoCAD 2012 double-clicking on a dimension object launches the TEXTEDIT command, which is different from previous versions. This FREE video demonstrates how to add characters to dimension text and change the double-click action for objects in the CUI file.

Having trouble selecting objects? When you select additional objects are the previously chosen objects unselected? This FREE tutorial demonstrates how to customize selection behaviors using the PICKADD command.

AutoCAD includes several palette windows, also called utility windows or floating palettes, that provide access to several commands, tools or information about a particular function. A dialog box is another type of window that gathers information for a specific command. You cannot continue until the dialog box has been closed. This FREE video tutorial demonstrates how to display, move, size and position AutoCAD Palettes.

The commandline acquired a new look and feel in AutoCAD 2013. It initially appears as a semi-transparent, single-line palette at the bottom of the drawing area. Watch this FREE video to learn about these enhancements!

Alias shortcuts are predefined key strokes for commands. For example, to use the shortcut for ARC type A and then ENTER. Refer to CCAD's handy reference chart to save time and keystrokes when using your favorite commands!

The wheel on your mouse performs all sorts of timesaving functions: zoom in/out, zoom extents, pan and orbit. It can be configured as a button that displays the OSNAP menu. The behavior of the wheel is controlled by three system variables: ZOOMWHEEL, ZOOMFACTOR and MBUTTONPAN. Watch this video to explore all the functions of the wheel and how to control it.

AutoCAD 2012 added a new feature called AUTOCOMPLETE. Entering a command or system variable at the Command prompt is assisted with several features that list or complete the commands and system variables as they are being typed. The AUTOCOMPLETE command controls which of the features are turned on.

Tool Tips, Extended Tool Tips and Rollover Tool Tips are abbreviated help messages displayed when you pause over a button, icon or menu selection. When and how these bubbles or balloons appear are controlled in the OPTIONS command.

Workspaces and Profiles contain settings and preferences regarding your working environment. Which settings are stored in Workspaces and which ones in Profiles? Can Workspaces and Profiles be saved in case my computer crashes? Can Workspaces and Profiles be transferred or imported to other computers? Watch the video to find out!

AutoCAD 2012 introduced several new wrinkles to creating patterns of objects, the associative array. One of the many features of an associative array is the ability to modify the pattern long after the command is finished.

Select an object, right-click and choose Add Selected to launch the command used to create the selected object. The new object(s) inherit the general properties of the selected object and special properties of certain objects. The Select Similar command lets you quickly choose objects with the properties of a select object.

Editing Using Multifunctional Grips

You can manipulate objects via commands like MOVE, COPY, STRETCH, etc. or use a grip editing mode. Select an object and blue boxes called GRIPS appear at significant locations on the object. Think of GRIPS as handles that control the size and location of an object. To activate a GRIP just select one of the blue GRIP boxes (cold GRIP). The GRIP turns red (hot GRIP) and you can STRETCH the object. Press ENTER or SPACE and cycle to the MOVE, ROTATE, SCALE and MIRROR modes. Make sure to press ESC when finished with the grip editing mode to unselect the object.

AutoCAD 2012 introduced multi-functional GRIPS. For many objects, when you hover over a GRIP a menu is displayed. The menu is object specific and sometimes GRIP specific. You can select the editing option from the initial menu or press CTRL to cycle through the options at any time during the GRIP editing process.

The drawing background color, as well as a host of other screen elements colors, is controlled using the OPTIONS command. This tutorial contains a video to show you how to customize your drawing environment.

The @ symbol can be used to input the "last point" in response to any prompt that requests a point value. When combined with a Cartesian or polar coordinate, the @ symbol produces a point value relative (measured from) the "last point".

“Prior to starting my drawing, I set the units to feet in the decimal format. I would just like to have the "feet" symbol in all of my dimensions, but do not know how to do it. I tried switching to engineering mode and it converted everything to inches.”

There are a couple of common misconceptions related to the UNITS command.

Wildcards are used to specify a list of names, like layer names and block names. Most AutoCAD users are familiar with the typical wildcards used, * (asterisk) and ? (question). For instance, if you want to turn on all the layers in the drawing, select the LAYER command (-Layer in 2000), then the ON option. Type * to specify all layers to be turned on.

Many AutoCAD commands prompt you to Select objects. AutoCAD provides several different methods of selecting objects. Most of the time you probably select objects for commands like Move, Copy, and Erase by picking them individually or with a Window Box or a Crossing Box.

One of the other methods of selecting objects is with a Fence. A fence is like an open crossing box, it selects the objects touched by the fence. Unlike the crossing box, the fence does not enclose objects, so even if you surround a group of objects with a fence, they will not be selected.

A simplified method of entering coordinates when the distance and direction from the last point are known is called Direct Distance Entry. In a nutshell, Direct Distance Entry eliminates the need for most keyboard entry of coordinates. Direct Distance Entry can be used anytime a command prompts for a point.

Often when assembling parts it is necessary to rotate one component to mate with another. When rotating parts in this situation, the rotation is frequently unknown. This tutorial will teach you how to rotate an object to mate with another.

One of the features of AutoCAD that I believe is a great time saver is Quick Dimensions. Quick Dimensions allows you to select a group of objects and automatically apply baseline, continuous, staggered, ordinate, radius or diameter dimensions. Although the dimensions often need to be tweaked a little, this promises to be a popular feature.

Autodesk, AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc.,in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.